It was once introduced by a school teacher in a simple story, wich everybody adopted, it was a time when blackface was not considerd wrong. Times have changed, there are a thousand other and better options to continue tradition with a new set of variables excluding the blackface, just make him disapear as simple as he appeard. No harm done. Look at the countries around us, with similar saint Nicholas celebrations and without the blackfaced man, Krampus, Ruprecht, all way more traditional and older than zwarte piet.
The worst are people complaining it will devastate the children. If there is anyone who does not care who is helping st Nick delivering presents it is the children, they just like the play that is staged and are easily entertained.
Just like fiat is replaced with bitcoin, Piet should make way for new traditions!